The March 28, 2023, NOVA Spring Jazz Concert featured the NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble, Directed by Shannon Gunn and the NOVA JAZZ Combos Directed by Cristian Perez.

The evening began with a wonderful set list compiled by the NOVA Jazz Combos, under the direction of Cristian Perez.

Tenor Madness by Sonny Rollins, the title piece for his album of the same name was released in 1956 and featured himself and John Coltrane.

This was followed by Luis Bonfa’s Black Orpheus, a lovely Bossa Nova Classic.  Billy Shelton, Jon McGregor and Norman Butts on Guitar.

Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” offers a melodic and rhythmically-gaited journey.  The band wonderfully picked up the feel of this jazz waltz.

“Recorda Me” by Joe Henderson, is a wonderful classic that trips along with notational highlights that weave between the instruments.

Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island” another favorite jazz standard, moves us along with this driving melodic line with brass overtones and phrasing.

“All of Me,” by Gerald Marks was first broadcast in 1931 and has repeatedly hit the charts and reaching no. 1 with Louis Armstrongs version.  As a standard, it’s been covered by a variety of artists spanning the likes of Frank Sinatra to Wille Nelson.

Kuddos to our Jazz Combos ensemble and thank you for enriching us with all the great jazz and musical talent!

After a brief intermission The NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble  took the stage to perform Frank Foster’s, Shiny Stockings.

According to ezjazzlines.com, “Frank Foster’s ‘Shiny Stockings’ is one of the most memorable hits from the discography of the Count Basie Orchestra. ”  

Alright, Okay, You Win by Watts Wyche, trans, Myles Collins, and featuring Tai Nanthavongsa on vocals!  This, once Billboard top 100 jazz work has become a  vocal jazz classsic.

The Frim Fram Sauce by Evans, Ricardel, arr. Benny Carter featuring Chris Pham on vocals.  This lively work was once recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, among others.

I’ve Got You Under My Skin , by Cole Porter, arr. Nelson Riddle and featuring Bob Coyne on vocals.  This famed and recognizable classic has a long performance history since it’s inception in 1936.

Love is Here to Stay by George and Ira Gershwin, arr. Riddle.  Featuring vocalist Regina Beglutti.  This classic is best known for it’s use in An American in Paris featuring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, but many more movies have used it, including  Harry Conick Jr’s version in “When Harry Met Sally.”

Quincy Jones’ arrangement of “I can’t Stop Loving You” has successfully moved Don Gibson’s work into the Jazz Sphere.  Andrew Howard’s piano accompaniment wonderfully added a sense of warmth and beauty.

Next up is the 1954 jazz standard, “Misty” with later lyrics written by Burke and Ganer.  Tonight we had Kreem Baltaji on vocals.   This song was originally inspire by a thunderstorm.

Big Swing Face by Bill Potts was originally recorded by Buddy Rich’s Big Band in 1967.  It’s medium-swung groove offered a lively uplift to the set.

A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square by Mashwitz, Sherwin, arr. Tomaro, was originally published in 1940.   Tonights vocalist, Rachel Scott did a beautiful job.

My God, was, Shannon Gunn’s first song written for Big Band.  Shannon, our Jazz studies musical director arranged the beautifully written work to include all of our vocalists for the evening.

God Bless the Child by Herzog, made famous by Billie Holiday’s recording, is a holiday jazz favorite.  was  also performed.

When you’re Smiling by Shay, Fisher, and Goodwin, arr. Kubis.

The Woogle by Wycliffe Gordon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRBHy6DSuo0

The night was a tremendous hit and hat’s off to Cristian and Shannon for working with all of the Jazz students and bringing us this evening of Jazz to the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center.

Special thanks to the following performers:

NOVA JAZZ COMBOS:

Guitar: Norman Butts, Oliver Coudert, Eleanor Lovinfosse, Jon MacGregor, Tupac Saavedra, and Bill Shelton

Trumpet:  Lu Goon

Trombones: De Angelo Palucho and Willy Vernia

Bass: Tyrone Southerland

Drums: Kurt Steinbacher and Manuel Vicens.

NOVA KNIGHTHAWKS:

Vocals: Kareem Baltaji Regina Begliutti, Bob Coyne, Tai Nanthavongsa, Chris Pham, Rachel Scott and Shacar Rogers.

Saxophones: David Bardash, John Butler Marie Himel, Michael Leahy, Rob Orwin, Caryl Salters and Susan Shapiro.

Trombones: Steven Bectel, James Colmie-Wilson, Patrick McNabb, De Angelo Palucho, Jason Smith and William Vernia.

Tuba: Jon Pacheco

Trumpets: Mike Dyson, Larry Craven, Julius Gatto and Lu Goon.

Guitars: Andrew Howard, Jamie Jackson, Eleanor Lovinfosse, Bill Shelton and Aaron Veal

Bass: Sam Dewlett and Kiri Ly

Drums: Kurt Steinbacher and Philip Tinnin.

Please join us for our next concert at The Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center…

• April 27 (8pm concert): The NOVA Symphony Orchestra at the Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria!

PROGRAM:
Aaron Copland. Fanfare for the Common Man.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17.

• May 5 (8pm concert): NOVA Music Dept. Spring Concert with the choir, jazz, and concert band ensembles.

And this summer in the Northern Virginia Community College Fine Arts Building, room 118 we will have The NOVA Symphony Orchestra!See You There!